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Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

I 'rescued' a swarm today and these girls were [hot]. I got stung 7 times (partly my fault for wearing shorts) but more so they were just bombing my veil and would follow me a good ways from their swarm and for several minutes.

So, my question is, will/could they calm down or should I take more desperate measures? I could smite their queen right away assuming I did get her and then let them build their own from some brood from the other hives I have or should I give them a bit of time?

This is only my 4th capture, but I've never experienced even 1/10th of what I did today.

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

codyjp...Done several removals and swarms. I've had some nasty bees in removals, but never a nasty swarm (and yes, we are below the AHB line). Definitely something to watch. I wouldn't pinch the queen right away. Give them a chance to settle...JMO. But I wouldn't let it go longer than a few weeks before deciding. Did you use smoke? Once one stings, the others can follow suit. And no disrespect, but shorts on a bee removal/swarm??? Spoke to my mentor a few weeks ago, and he was [complaining] about stings on his feet. I ask 'how'd that happen??' He meekly replies that he shook a low swarm in his flip flops. To which I replied....Well DOH!!! Just glad it was him, and not me...he would have had my head! If it were me, I would give them a chance to redeem themselves after a bit of settling in time. If still that angry in a couple/few weeks, Off with her head! JMO!! Good luck!

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

I don't know if this hive is AHB or not. But in Florida the recommendation is to replace with European queen bees once captured a swarm.
So if your area has the AHB then this hive might have some of its genetics. This will contaminate your existing hive if indeed it is the case.
Swarms are unknown origin so it is hard to tell by looking at them. If were me I will replace the queen on further evaluation before she
give out more drones. I'd been chased 300 yards before caught in vids so not like that route again.

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

Originally Posted by beepro

I'd been chased 300 yards before caught in vids so not like that route again.

Kinda why I asked the questions I did. I had AHB hives follow me well over 100 yards and still be unhappy with me after spending 30 minutes or more eating lunch in the truck, waiting in vain for them to calm down.

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

Any idea how long the swarm was there before you took it? I've seen dry swarms act real angry but found out later they settled down once installed. Still, I'd be looking to re-queen (if you have her). I probably wouldn't wait for them to re-queen themselves with new eggs from another hive. Sounds like the sooner you get a calm queen in there the better.

"My wife always wanted girls. Just not thousands and thousands of them......"

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

If they have been out for a couple of days, could be getting hungry. If somebody else was there first with a can of raid, would also explain the attitude. Or they could just be downright nasty. Time will tell...

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

I went into my other two hives today thinking I'd try and give these new girls some comb and some brood to keep themselves happy for a bit. As it turns out, the BOTH must have swarmed, no brood anywhere, and slim pickins in the bee department.

My money is that these girls are actually my bees that were trying to run away.

Now I'm sad and disheveled. They had plenty of room to build more comb... Am I a lousy landlord? Is it something I said?

Re: Completely rude, and evil bees during a swarm capture

Nonsense, it is nothing you said at all. You are just one day too late to add the broods and larvae.
Don't worry though. We're still too early in the seasons. More will come later on. But don't let
this lesson learned to be ready for the next big one. And don't even doubt yourself a bit. They have
the intention to swarm anyways if they don't like their new home. This is what swarms do. Who knows
what bees will do next, right. Even a complete hive will disappeared leaving the keeper wondering what
had happened. Is that what we call CCD?